as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group
thinks he's a big cheese just because he's got a business card
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Recent Examples of big cheese
But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new.
—
Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new.
—Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Simply Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs These light-colored curls have big cheese flavor, a satisfying crunch and a tart kick that is dangerously delicious.
—Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024
So for decades only accredited scholars, the occasional journalist and big cheeses got to see inside.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Following a voting process, this international cut of designers aged under 40 will be whittled down to a final few before the winners are selected by a panel of the conglomerate’s key designers and c-suite big cheeses some time in the summer.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2023
All is fair in love and big cheese.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 2 Feb. 2023
Bob Iger is back as the House of Mouse’s big cheese.
—Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2022
Una Pizza Napoletana is truly the big cheese: Anthony Mangieri’s Lower East Side pizza joint was just named the best pizzeria in the United States by the 50 Top Pizza organization.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 June 2022
Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new.
—Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Simply Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs These light-colored curls have big cheese flavor, a satisfying crunch and a tart kick that is dangerously delicious.
—Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024
So for decades only accredited scholars, the occasional journalist and big cheeses got to see inside.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Following a voting process, this international cut of designers aged under 40 will be whittled down to a final few before the winners are selected by a panel of the conglomerate’s key designers and c-suite big cheeses some time in the summer.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2023
All is fair in love and big cheese.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 2 Feb. 2023
Bob Iger is back as the House of Mouse’s big cheese.
—Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2022
Una Pizza Napoletana is truly the big cheese: Anthony Mangieri’s Lower East Side pizza joint was just named the best pizzeria in the United States by the 50 Top Pizza organization.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 June 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big cheese
Noun
-
Harry heads back to the yard, where a group of Kevin's Czechoslovakian hired heavies are preparing for war.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
On Twin Peaks, Strong plays Jones, the right-hand woman for one of the series’ heavies.—
Drew Mackie,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Given how much weight Chet Holmgren gives up to Jokic, expect Hartenstein to play 30-plus minutes per game in this series, as OKC does not have any bigs to throw at Jokic besides Holmgren and Hartenstein.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 May 2025
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And Nuggets backup big DeAndre Jordan looked largely helpless at the rim, as the Clippers’ offense got going behind a flurry of hooks from Zubac and waltzes to the rim from Bogdanovic and Kawhi Leonard.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But that enemy once again includes potentially large numbers of North Koreans, as well as their big guns and missile launchers.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Most players expect to be handed a big gun, or some other lethal power, and get sent out on missions to knock around bad guys and cause some property destruction.—
The New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This whole situation in the industry is like a big boy's club...—
EW.com,
EW.com,
13 May 2025
-
Woll good but big boys completely invisible, yet again.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
11 May 2025
Noun
-
Off-road vehicles need to be boxy, tall and large with big wheels and specialized tires -- these are terrible for range.—
Morgan Korn,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2025
-
One of the teachers at Abbott, Jacob (played by Chris Perfetti), paid homage to Sajak with his costume, which even included a big wheel.—
Kayla Caldwell,
Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Meanwhile, foundation models and synthetic content tools continued to absorb the lion’s share.—
Kolawole Samuel Adebayo,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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Known for their flamboyant costumes and elaborate stage show that involved live lions and tigers, Siegfried & Roy became one of the most popular acts on the Las Vegas strip in the 1990s.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Some of the heavy hitters in the 2024 playoffs included Texas ($22.2 million) and champion Ohio State ($20.3 million).—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
21 Apr. 2025
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Clayton is just the 15th player in the modern era to go for more than 30 in a Final Four game, joining a list of heavy hitters that includes Danny Manning, Glen Rice, Danny Ferry, Sean Elliott and Carmelo Anthony.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Big cheese.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20cheese. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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